av8rps(at)tznet.com
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 Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:54 pm Post subject: Kitfox Speedster on floats |
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Larry,
Don't let the naysayers comments sway you from your plans.
My Kitfox IV-1200 loaded with stuff has a 776 pound empty weight on Aerocet
Amphibs. So even maintaining an original 1200 pound gross weight you have
424 pounds of useful load (which is equivelent to about 70% of the Kitfoxes
empty weight on wheels, which is not shabby whatsoever). That allows me to
take a 190 pound passenger, 10 gallons of fuel (almost 3 hours range for my
912ul airplane), while weighing 175 pounds myself. When you consider you
are flying an amphibious seaplane on a whole 80 hp, that is pretty amazing.
But it really does work well. 13-14 second takeoffs at that weight.
Granted, I am running an IVO inflight adjustable prop, but even at that my
Kitfox IV makes a pretty nice, excellent performing amphibious seaplane.
The comment about it being a one seat airplane would only relate if you are
a pilot of 364 pounds. If one is that weight, it might be best to consider
something larger, or limit your Kitfox IV flying to solo. But think about
it...that is the equivelent of two 182 pound people. For an 80 hp 1200
pound gross weight amphibious airplane to be able to haul two 182 pound
people with almost 3 hours of fuel onboard is nothing shabby. My numbers
are factual statistics...not opinion. So don't opinions get you down.
Speedster wings are 29 feet as I recall. That makes the Kitfox Speedster
and the Avid Flyer having the same wing area. And the Avid makes an
excellent seaplane. So there is no doubt it will work. But the longer
Kitfox 32ft wing will work just that much better. They always do when it
comes to Seaplanes. So do larger engines (like the 100 hp 912 vs the 80 hp
912). Everything is a tradeoff. But aircraft like the Kitfox will do the
job and still stay within the gross weight limits as long as you have the
right engine. Stay away from regular aircraft engines, auto conversions,
and VW's and you will do ok as an amphib (they do not develop enough thrust
per pound).
If you can hold out on an airplane....find a IV-1200 with a 912uls (100 hp)
with a long wing. That would make a very nice seaplane with a reasonable
carrying capacity if built light.
Paul Seehafer
Kitfox IV-1200 amphib
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